My experience is very limited and pertains to piercings. I had my navel pierced 3 years ago. They used a curved titanium barbell as "training" jewelry. When I was given permission to change it, I was told I could use surgical stainless steel. I got an infection. After that cleared up, I only tried to wear stainless a couple more times, thinking I might have scratched myself the first time or something. Each time I inserted the stainless jewelry, I had redness and irritation. Now, I only wear titantium in my navel.

The term surgical stainless is misleading. Surgeons use stainless steel equipment because it can be sterilized. They don't use it for prostheses, probably because of the nickel content which some people have reactions to.